Steelers linebacker James Harrison pleaded his side to the NFL Tuesday morning when he appealed two fines totaling $95,000.

"We told our side of the story and I think we told it well," said Bill Parise, Harrison's agent.

The appeal came in the form of a conference call among Parise and Harrison in Pittsburgh, NFL Players Association legal counsel Todd Flanagan in Washington, D.C., and two unnamed men from the NFL commissioner's office in New York.

Harrison appealed the $75,000 fine the NFL issued him for what it called an illegal hit of Cleveland wide receiver Mohamed Massaquoi Oct. 17, and for another on New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees Oct. 31.

Parise predicted a ruling within 10 days.

"James opened both hearings with his view of his actions, the motivation for his actions and what happened," Parise said. "His story has been consistent from day one: If I'm fined for Massaquoi hit at all it's wrong. He didn't do anything wrong."

Harrison maintains that it was the actions of the receiver who caused the hit to his head and that it never involved helmet-to-helmet. He also said in his appeal that his helmet never struck Brees in the back but that it went to his side.

"Did we do any good? I don't know. We certainly made our case," Parise said.
'Laundry list' of injuries

Besides a neck injury that could end the season for left tackle Max Starks, coach Mike Tomlin is hopeful that seven other players injured Monday in the Steelers' 27-21 victory against Cincinnati will be available to play Sunday against the Patriots.

"We've got somewhat of a laundry list," Tomlin said. "We're working off of a short week. ... I'm sure many of these guys will be available for the contest, but they have limited preparation."

Tomlin said he might consider dressing additional offensive linemen next week to "insulate" the team from injury woes, as he did against Cincinnati with defensive linemen.

Tomlin said Pouncey, who returned to the game after the injury, "will be fine." Kemoeatu could miss some practice time early this week, but Tomlin said he hopes his left guard will get some snaps in practice before Sunday.

Three players -- safety Will Allen and running backs Mewelde Moore and Isaac Redman -- sustained concussions against Cincinnati and will undergo post-concussion tests early this week. Their status for the Patriots game depends on their progress throughout the week.

Defensive lineman Brett Keisel played just a handful of downs against Cincinnati after making his first start since straining his hamstring Oct. 17.

Tomlin expects Keisel to continue to work through his injury and will evaluate his status later this week.

Tight end Heath Miller had fluid on his knee, but it should not affect him for more than a few days, Tomlin said.

The only active player Tomlin ruled out of Sunday's game was defensive end Aaron Smith, who tore a tendon in his left arm in the Steelers' 23-22 victory against Miami Oct. 24.

Tomlin said he is concerned with the high number of injuries, but he said it will not change his expectations.

"I'm more concerned about the readiness of the able-bodied guys and the guys who are going to ultimately play for us. ... If we have an opportunity to get the healthy guys prepared, then we're not going to make excuses about injuries, who's available and who's not," Tomlin said. "We believe, to the core, that we'll go out and play with 46 guys that are capable."
Praise for Patriots

Tomlin praised the much-maligned Patriots' defense, which ranks 29th in the NFL allowing 386.5 yards per game this season.

The Patriots are the second opponent in three weeks the Steelers will face that is coming off a loss to the Browns. Tomlin went out of his way to do something few in Pittsburgh would ever do -- he praised the Browns. "I don't know why everyone's surprised that Cleveland plays well," he said.

Apparently, the two men who hear the appeals are Art Shell, Steelers hater, and Ted Cottrel, who was fired in Minnesota in favor of Tomlin.

This should end well for James. :roll:

steeler_fan_in_t.o.

11-11-2010, 10:11 AM

Apparently, the two men who hear the appeals are Art Shell, Steelers hater, and Ted Cottrel, who was fired in Minnesota in favor of Tomlin.

This should end well for James. :roll:

Could be worse. Appeals could be heard by the men who originally levied the fines. That would be totally beyond reason, but something that I would expect from the Goodell run NFL.

Northern_Blitz

11-11-2010, 10:46 AM

I can't remember who laid the hit, but I thought there was a hit very similar to Harrison's where the WR ducked his head and that caused the helmet to helmet contact of a defender that was already committed to the tackle. That wasn't fined this week...but consistancy with this rule might be too much to ask.

Crash

11-11-2010, 11:32 AM

I'm still waiting for the fine on the helmet to helmet hit Mike Wallace took right before Reed's long field goal.

BradshawsHairdresser

11-11-2010, 01:23 PM

I'm still waiting for the fine on the helmet to helmet hit Mike Wallace took right before Reed's long field goal.

Yeah, I was wondering why no attention was given to that one...

birtikidis

11-11-2010, 02:07 PM

I'm still waiting for the fine on the helmet to helmet hit Mike Wallace took right before Reed's long field goal.

Yeah, I was wondering why no attention was given to that one...
Or how about the hit Ward took in that same game. The damn CB JUMPED at ward and made helmet to helmet contact..

birtikidis

11-11-2010, 02:10 PM

I can't remember who laid the hit, but I thought there was a hit very similar to Harrison's where the WR ducked his head and that caused the helmet to helmet contact of a defender that was already committed to the tackle. That wasn't fined this week...but consistancy with this rule might be too much to ask.
are you talking about the one on Collie? I don't think it's fineable, but hey, I felt the same way on Harrisons hit!

Crash

11-11-2010, 03:15 PM

The Collie hit is not being fined.

birtikidis

11-11-2010, 03:22 PM

The Collie hit is not being fined.
Yea, and it probably shouldn't be. What I was saying is that, like the Harrison hit, there was no way the defender could adjust in order to NOT make contact. Neither should be fined.

fordfixer

11-11-2010, 05:46 PM

I'm still waiting for the fine on the helmet to helmet hit Mike Wallace took right before Reed's long field goal.

Yeah, I was wondering why no attention was given to that one...
Or how about the hit Ward took in that same game. The damn CB JUMPED at ward and made helmet to helmet contact..

Crash doesn't care about the hit on Ward. ( you may not know this but Ward is divorced :roll: )

Crash

11-11-2010, 05:56 PM

I'm still waiting for the fine on the helmet to helmet hit Mike Wallace took right before Reed's long field goal.

Yeah, I was wondering why no attention was given to that one...
Or how about the hit Ward took in that same game. The damn CB JUMPED at ward and made helmet to helmet contact..

Crash doesn't care about the hit on Ward. ( you may not know this but Ward is divorced :roll: )

Actually knucklehead, I have bashed Goodell and his puppets for not only not fining the hit on Wallace this week, but the non fine on the Ward hit last week in New Orleans. As well as the push in the back which knocked Ward down well after the pass was incomplete to him in Cincy.

Next?

fordfixer

11-11-2010, 06:01 PM

I'm still waiting for the fine on the helmet to helmet hit Mike Wallace took right before Reed's long field goal.

Yeah, I was wondering why no attention was given to that one...
Or how about the hit Ward took in that same game. The damn CB JUMPED at ward and made helmet to helmet contact..

Crash doesn't care about the hit on Ward. ( you may not know this but Ward is divorced :roll: )

Actually knucklehead, I have bashed Goodell and his puppets for not only not fining the hit on Wallace this week, but the non fine on the Ward hit last week in New Orleans. As well as the push in the back which knocked Ward down well after the pass was incomplete to him in Cincy.